PACIFIC WATCH

Japan

Auto Parts Distribution to Be Studied: The Ministry of International Trade and Industry will undertake a study on how auto parts are distributed in Japan in order to further expand imports, the Nihon Keizai newspaper said. The ministry will try to find out what hampers sales of foreign-made auto parts in Japan. The project will begin next fiscal year, the paper said. In recent trade talks, U.S. and Japanese negotiators failed to reach an agreement in auto parts, which account for 60% of Japan's trade surplus with the United States. Meanwhile, Ford Motor Co. said Toyota dealers in Japan will begin selling imported Ford cars for the first time, as the auto maker expands its sales network to about 300 Japanese outlets.